Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jul 2014
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2014 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Page: A14

DRUG WARRIORS

The Joana family lost their 15- month-old daughter, Sabina Rose, in 
December to Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that starts in 
infancy. Since then, at least 14 other American children have died of 
Dravet syndrome and other forms of epilepsy. Although medical 
marijuana is thought to alleviate the symptoms and is legal in New 
Jersey, where the Joanas live, the state's program is so stringent 
that the families of Sabina Rose and other children like her have 
been unable to obtain derivatives of the drug.

To qualify for New Jersey's medical marijuana program, a patient must 
have a specified condition diagnosed by a certified doctor, such as a 
seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, cancer, Crohn's disease, 
muscular dystrophy, glaucoma, or a terminal illness with a prognosis 
of fewer than 12 months to live.

But the program forces families and individuals with these and other 
legitimate illnesses to leap through too many hoops. Patients must be 
approved by a program-certified physician even if they already have a 
doctor who is familiar with their condition. It can take months to 
receive these doctor approvals. Furthermore, even after patients 
qualify, the existence of only six marijuana dispensaries in New 
Jersey, as well as the high fees in place, can make it difficult for 
sick people to get the drug.

Gov. Christie has been a consistent obstacle to efforts to implement 
the state's medical marijuana program, saying recently that he was 
"done expanding the medical marijuana program under any 
circumstances. So we're done." Done helping children? Why should 
those suffering from serious illnesses have such a hard time 
obtaining a legal medical treatment?

Recent years have seen a nationwide movement toward legalizing and 
decriminalizing marijuana. Twenty-one states and the District of 
Columbia now allow medical marijuana, while Colorado and Washington 
have made it legal for recreational use as well.

In Pennsylvania, meanwhile, stories like the Joanas' have moved Gov. 
Corbett and legislators to open the door to medical use of marijuana 
and its derivatives. A state Senate committee recently passed a bill 
to legalize marijuana for medical use.

In Philadelphia, City Council has passed legislation to reduce the 
penalty for minor marijuana possession to a $ 25 fine. Police 
Commissioner Charles Ramsey has vowed to ignore the measure, but 
Mayor Nutter should see to it that the administration abides by the law.

Such moves toward more moderate and enlightened policy on marijuana 
should also inspire Christie to reconsider his stance.

After the death of their daughter, the Joana family started the Love 
Nugget Foundation, whose mission is to "advocate for commonsense laws 
to help medical advancements, as well as raise funds to assist 
children with various forms of epilepsy." It's currently raising 
money to offset the costs of medical devices that aren't covered by 
insurance. But Paula Joana, Sabina Rose's mother, said she remains 
"50 percent skeptical" about the prospects for a more effective 
medical marijuana program. The governor should change course for the 
sake of other families like hers.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom